Nice work John, turning Saturday’s crit into a 40min individual TT for the win.

First team race of the season for the Enzo’s squad took place on a windy overcast mostly rain free day. I do not consider it to be raining when the road stay dry, which was the case on Sunday. The morning started out a little rough with two of the holes pulling the plug leaving the carpool a mess. Calling people on the day of a race to figure out who is driving with who sucks. This is a small problem which is easily fixed.

Bob Karlow comes up with the quick fix and we are on the road to race in Druber’s awesome event. We all bailed on the Saturday races due to the 80% rain forecast, which was accurate. John Whipple was the only Hole to represent, and represent he did! John won in style, a solo break for 40 minutes. Way to get after it John!

The Enzo’s crew would be Don Lowe, Erik Tomlinson, Bob Karlow, John Whipple, and Enzo. The race was split into two age groups, not my favorite format but kudo’s to Druber for having different numbers separating the two categories. 100′s for the 35+ and 200′s for the 45+, such a simple concept. Unfortunately, this did not help Enzo today, since I felt slightly brain dead while racing.

Summary: the obvious tactical moves were just that, but the way the winning break formed was really weird. I found myself as a worker, which I never mind doing, but this time it was a bad choice. The racer in my head kept saying bridge now, the gap is only 10 seconds. The other guy, the weak minded racer was saying no, they will chase you like a dog and you will have broken a cardinal rule of team racing!!! The rub is this, Stone Pony was the only 45+ guy in the break, which means as I am working for my teammates, I am also giving the 45+ race away, tough choice? Not really because it is team first. Besides, I liked our chances with Whipple and Karlow being in the break. I though it would come down to Bob and Todd Hancock in the final which was going to be a great sprint battle. Problem was, two of the guys in the second break, only 5 seconds from the first three were not working. Bob was helping a little but not all in, which is correct. Have a guy up the road, why help two douche bags get a free ride and bridge to the winning break? Bob finally tells them either start pulling or we are going back. So after 3 laps of this, they return to the group and I am left racing for second place. Oh well, that is how it goes sometimes.

So the three guys stay away. I throw a timely attack as soon as the Karlow group comes back, with one dead weightier on my wheel. Bob said someone did not like this and killed himself to close it down, with the group finishing it off. Next it was a text book move by Erik Tomlinson! Counter attack solo, so I stay at the front stalling through the technical turns in the back section of the course. Erik’s quick 10 seconds turned into, out of sight out of mind, and he was gone, Nice. The rest of the race was now a training ride for me, though I was scolded later, not sprinting for team cash. Sorry boys for loosing my head.

So at the end of the day, we end up 2nd(Whipple), 3rd(Tomlinson), and 5th (Karlow) in the 35+. While Don and I brought zero to the table, well not in effort, but in winnings. Both the old guys worked well today. As a team I am extremely pleased with our result. Being our first race together, having two new guys, I thought we raced very well as a unit.

Congratulations to Dave Stone(ScarletFire Racing) for winning the 45+ this year. Dave is always working these races, setting up barriers at six AM, and any other grunt work that needs to be done, so winning your teams event is always a bonus. Besides, Dave is the only ScarletFire guy we like.

I know, blah blah blah, now for the really story. Freaking Psimet tubular wheels kick ass! After riding training wheels all year, I finally strapped on my race wheels, and they are awesome, thanks Rob. Also thank you to A.L.L. Masonry for another year of support, Louis you rock dude. The crew at Village CycleSport also has stepped up to help Enzo’s this season, thank you for all the small things that people do not notice, like our cool Bell Helmets and the Ryder glasses. Druber, Billy Stone, and the ScarletFire crew, in spite of the weather, you guys run a great event, thank you for the effort. Some day people will realize these are great courses, and a very well run event weekend. Where were all the Chicago teams, again? Freaking lame people, next year get your asses off the training rides and to these races, you are missing out.

It looks like Monster’s is next up for the Holes, see you all there.

Enzo

The post ScarletFire Racing’s Urbana Gran Prix Master’s 35/45+ appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

On to the new faces. First we seem to have raided the Mack cookie jar! That is correct, we have two smack’s now racing for Enzo’s. Who would have thought, certainly I would have never predicted this.
Don Lowe and Neil Thomas will be in play this year, we welcome both of them to their new home.

Our other two boys are younger’s, that is they are both in their thirties! Enzo welcomes, Vic Rentas and Erik Tomlinson to the squad. These are two boys that love to suffer and will fit in nicely.

The last new member is not a very good racer, but a fine addition. Village CycleSport is Enzo’s new shop sponsor. On the new kits, when chasing us in races, you will see clearly who we represent. Thank you Joe, Joe, and Vince for the consideration.

Enzo Loves Lucky Brake Bikes, recommends and thanks them. Anyone close to Crystal Lake area needs to get to know this bike shop. Geographic’s plays a large part in my choice to switch shops.

The rest of the Holes, you know who they are. Our mission is to, well everyone will have to watch and respond as our mission unfolds. Talking about what our goals are is lame, leading by example is the more desirable concept.

So look for the new kits out there in a few weeks time. New team members, new kit design, new shop, new season. Lets have some fun training, racing and following the rules of the road, which leads to a safer riding experience.

Enzo

The post Enzo’s Team Additions for 2013 appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

Think you know how much chamois cream this is? Enter by commenting below.

How Much Chamois Cream Is That?

Enzo wants to give some of this away.  So here’s the deal:

Whoever can closest guess how many 8oz chamois cream jars we can fill with all this chamois cream will win 1 8oz ButtonHole Chamois Cream, 1 Enzo’s Embro Stick (heat level of your choice) and 1 4oz bottle of Enzo’s new Victory (chain) Lubricant.  This should get you going into the spring season. Over a $50 value.

How Do I Enter?

Simply comment on this post with your guess. The contest will end Friday April 5th at 5pm CST.

The post Enzo’s 2013 Chamois Cream Contest appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

This is an official visit so the University comps the hotel and meals if we are with the coaching staff. Rachel is excited because she fits into the running program at KU well and the coaching staff has depth and much experience. We arrive in Lawrence about 9:00 pm, check in and look forward to seeing our friends, before the official visit begins. We meet Laura, Gary and their son Thomas for breakfast in town. The place was packed because there was a JayHawks basketball game starting at 1:00. Basketball at KU is huge, so the games draw many people out of the woodwork.

After breaking bread together, we split up, Rachel gets picked up by a few team members and her visit begins, starting with the basketball game. Heidi goes over to hang out with Laura, while I go to the tennis club to watch Thomas school his dad in a practice session. Gary was the tennis coach at Baldwin College for many years and has coached Thomas for ever. It was fun to watch Gary still hitting the ball well, though it was like a cat playing with a mouse. Thomas has skills and could pound Gary quite easily if he chose to. I give him credit, only unleashing full gas pace on the old man once in a while. We talk about the ride departure time deciding that Gary will pick me up at 9:15 at the hotel.

Heidi and I have a few hours so we stop at the local bike shop that Gary is connected to, Sunflower Outdoor & Bike. This ends up being a very cool shop, Climbing gear, hiking and trail running shoes, hiking cloths, kayaks, Frisbees, and many cool racing bikes in stock. We talk ButtonHole and riding, meet the owner Dan, who had just finished a ride, and make our way back to the hotel.

6:00 pm, we are scheduled to meet Rachel, the host girls, and one of the coaches for dinner. First we will pick up Kevin, Rachel’s cousin who is a Junior at KU. We find his house pulling into the alley we see some guy on the roof of the house. A second look we see it is Kev, he is lighting a firecracker to throw into his room mates window. We both start laughing and heckling him, he reply’s I will be right down. Kevin gets in the truck and I can smell beer right away. Totally normal since he was watching the game with friends at the bar. I remind him that we are sitting in close quarters because he has his verbal volume set on 11.

Arriving a few minutes early it is to the bar for a few cold ones. Enzo only had one since the beer was some weak ass pale ale, being an 2xIPA snob. Rachel and the girls find us and we spend a few hours getting to know the group, so far so good. It was cool to feed Kevin a solid, most college students do not spend $30.00 bucks on a meal. After everyone leaves, Kevin says, “I am going to more track events, those are some cute super fit girls”.

Next morning it is finally ride time for Enzo. The forecast is for mid 40′s but at 9:15 it is 28F, difficult range to dress for. I opt for Hot embro stick and leg warmers. Gary is on time and we ride a few miles to meet the group at 10:00. The group was about 12 people, which would give Enzo a few places to hide. Early in the ride one of the locals hits a weird section of Pave’ and hits the deck, lucky we were going slow. The plan was to go into the head wind for two hours, then turn around and make in back in one.This was never revealed verbalized, the groups way of messing with the guest. After the two hours, I new who the players were and the pace increased on the way home, Dan and Collin started throwing down. This was really fun, tail and cross wind sections on rolling roads. 30-34 on the tailwind sections, and mid twenties in the cross winds.

The group was down to 4 guys, Gary, Enzo, Collin and Dan. The 1 hour return is now a 4 man TTT, with no white towel being considered by anyone. Finally at the 50 minute mark, Gary cracks on one of the many climbs, I smile hearing him say no more. I confirm he is dropped peaking at the gap, I let off. We slow the pace slightly working together and reconnect before the next tail wind section. Finally we are within a few miles of town and we slow down to talk and say our good byes. Here are a few photos of the boys. Ended up being 62 miles for Enzo, 3300 Kcals, nice. Soon I will be at my racing weight, within the next 4 weeks anyway.

Back to the hotel, a quick shower trying to get the embro off, which has been working nicely, though the water makes it too F’ing HOT. Calling Heidi to see what campus building they are in. Perfect, still in the Athletes building, I have not missed the meat of the tour. We spend the next 3 hours with the distance coach and all the staffers that work with the Student/Athletes. I will say this, if your kid can be an athlete while attending a large university, they are going to receive their moneys worth. If they are on scholarship, bonus. It is amazing to see how much they help and expect, the athletes to do as well in school as on the field of battle!

We finish the tour and it is off do dinner with the KU head coach, distance coach, and the 3 host girls. About 8:00 and we head back to the hotel, Enzo is quite tired from a long day. Monday early we pack the car and start the 8 hour drive home.

Next up will be the spring race report. Not sure which race but a report will follow. Until then safe and happy training.

-Enzo

The post Enzo visits the University of Kansas appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

David Lombardo

Going back to Master’s race day in Louisville, after watching others race while enjoying the buzz I had from drinking two 9+ percent IPA’s, Dave and I walked to Eva Bandman to watch the Elite’s pre riding the course, which was open for two hours. It was worth the 1/2 mile walk, seeing quite a few people we knew doing the same thing, without the IPA’s. We are like little kids watching the Euro cross master’s perform a free CX clinic, riding sections differently each lap, looking for he best/fastest lines. It is evident their handling skills are more refined than most riders we see in the local scene. I spot David Lombardo and throw a loving heckle his way as he is blasting through the sand section. In typical David fashion, he sees me, spins around, rides backwards on the course and gives a respectful hello shaking our hands. David is looking quite happy in his mud speckled Team USA jersey. Obviously this is a huge accomplishment, making the Worlds team as a younger Junior. This will not be the last you hear of David Lombardo.

As David rolls away, his dad appears. Chris is an old team mate of Enzo. I mean old because he is old, almost as old as me, laughter. Ok that is not funny but it is to me. We laugh about the cool factor, that his son is representing Team USA.

Heidi at Motherload

Making our way back to the car I have to rendezvous with Heidi at the Galt house, she is being dropped off there, after hitching a ride to Louisville with the Schwitzers. We grab some food hanging with Dave until it is lights out. Friday A.M. we move into our new hotel for the weekend, quite an upgrade from the man cave Dave and I were staying in. A quick Starbucks and we are off to Slade, Kentucky. Home of the Red River Gorge, Aka, the Midwest center of STEEP rock climbing. Home of super steep climbing areas named, The Motherload, or the madness cave. Routes appropriately named, Omaha Beach, Blood Bath, and Pushin up daisies. See the photos of the Madness cave at the Motherload. Heidi has not been here yet. Thinking this would be a fun hiking the huge area, while seeing her oldest daughters favorite play ground. The temps never went about 22 F, but the sun and blue sky were out, which was nice after many gray days of rain and mud. After an awesome 3 hours in Daniel Boone National Forest, it is back to Louisville for a nice bottle of wine, slab of cow, and some chocolate for desert, I love dates with my girl.

Crazy Belgians

Saturday and it is time to combine work and play. At the breakfast buffet we talk Enzo’s with a few people while eating. With the car loaded, we make our way to Eva Bandman Park, through the 2 inches of snow that fell over night. Walking the 1/2 mile from the parking area, we find ourselves in a group of Belgians, who are laughing and smoking cigs. About 100 meters from the entrance gate is the line to get in, so we think. I hear someone saying VIP passes to the right, and there is no line, nice! We walk right in the venue with 10 minutes before the start of the Junior race. I weasel a free program, showing the full page add of Enzo to the people selling them, it never hurts to ask!

Tons of fans showed up for CX Worlds.

Enzo has raced many time in Eva Bandman during the USGP weekend that is held on this course. The place is more crowded than I have ever seen it, more that I imagined. I am excited that the park is this full, knowing there are at least 1000 or more waiting in line. There has been an odd amount of negative chi with regard to this event. I can’t explain in detail, but those on the inner circle know what I am talking about. This will sound crazy but It seemed like their were people that wanted this event to fail, being the first time on US soil. What I can see, this is far from a failure and the day is just beginning.

Heidi has already received many comments about the pimp coat, a 3/4 length fake fur that is Enzo’s team colors of blue, dark blue, and purple. This is the BIG CX event coat, worn exclusive by Heidi which always starts conversations wherever they go. Pimp coat is the ice breaker then Heidi goes into promo mode on their asses, what a brilliant sales tool. I get to talk to friends, watch racing, only having to carrying the swag bags while Heidi gives stuff away. After the junior race ends, my voice is strained from yelling for little Lombardo, who did very well.

Into the VIP tent where there is food and beer, all part of the ticket fee. So where will the best place be to talk

Vos’s clinic.

Enzo’s, ahhh, the beer line where else? I find a seat at the Pony Shop table, with Lou and many of the crew, who are not sober, while Heidi rocks the beer que.

We watch the U23 race and return to the beer line, I say to Heidi, “when in Rome”, and we start the beer flowing for ourselves. Next up is the women, which should be a great battle. We hear there is a crash early in the first lap, sounds like team USA decided to throw themselves on the ground, giving M. Vos the early lead. This would prove to the fatal blow to our squad as Vos again showed why she is the best racer in the world! Their is only one racer that I know that is her equal, and that is Eddy Merckx, that is what I said!
Check her age, I say she will surpass Merckx as the greatest racer ever, one mans opinion.

Katie Compton

Compton raced like a champion as well, chasing from on the ground to a second place finish. It would have been nice to see the fight we all hoped for Compton vs Vos, maybe another day. I have to mention the ride of the day in this race goes to Marion Knight/CannonDale racer, Kaitlin Antonneau finishing 10th. Not only is Kaitlin an Enzo’s user, she is the sharp end of women’s US CX future. She is coached by another Katie who’s last name is Compton, so I think I am correct in saying this. Congratulations Kaitlin.

By now you know the drill, back to the VIP beer line, drink, talk, take photo’s with the crazy Belgians, Cunucks, and other alcohol drinking CX fans, all waiting for the men’s main event. At the start of this race it is what we all wanted to see, a single string of connected racers going full gas. A small gap early but nothing establishing until later in the race. As suspected, the Belgians and Netherlanders are leading. Their skill level is just better than ours. I could go into how this gap can be ,but today this all positive, a no rant blog.

Me and Joan Hanscom

About the 30 minute mark of the race, Heidi and I see Joan Hanscom walking the venue alone like a deer in the headlights. I grab her, giving her a huge hug, saying this is incredible, what an awesome turn out, look at this place, listen to the sound of the World CX Championship in Louisville!!!! She smiles and starts crying, happy tears for sure. I will not post her comments, that for us only. I do promise to re-visit this subject at a later date. Joan, you are awesome, thank you for being you and the HUGE amount of work that went into this great event.

The battle is going on in the front with Sven Nys, Klaas Vantornout, Francis Mourey, and Kevin Pauwels. Not all together but all right there. Frenchman Mourey is not with the lead group now with 3 laps to go and at 2 laps, on the start/finish section Pauwels drops his chain and looses about 5-6 places, his chance of a podium is done. Vantornout looses contact after a slight bobble and Nys nails the barriers with his signature move, jumping the barriers while on the bike. He has three seconds, which is a big enough gap, if he does not make any mistakes. I am standing at the start finish for the money shot and see Sven enter the Pave’ section still holding the 3 seconds gap. He sprints like he means it and takes the rainbow jersey, awesome.

Sven Crossing the line alone.

Back to the VIP tent to chill and have one more beer before the trek back to the hotel. The energy is high, my observation is the CycloCross World Championships in Louisville, were a huge success. The general feedback I have received was 95% positive, with only a few small issues that need to be cleaned up for the next time they are held here. I am sure USA will be hosting this event again after this display of passion, by the working staff and the fans. Heidi and I are walking away feeling great about the day, and the energy from the crowd is super positive.

Next up or soon, a surprise interview. Until then, safe training and racing kids, road season is almost here!

Enzo

Check out all the photos below.

The post Elite CX World Championship Louisville, Kentucky USA appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

I see Bob Downs and ask what he thinks, he says we are racing against each other and we should not exchange ideas, then laughs. We both understand how this 45 minutes is going to feel. Next I see Tilford trying to ride the ridge section, not being able to do it. There are 25 meters of soup that has stiffened from the cold, it is much faster to run this section.In fact after my 20 minutes of recon, clearly I will be running much of this course. I tell Dave that I am not used to being scared of racing my bike, that I do not really want to race in these crappy conditions, not looking like fun to me.

I honestly would have packed up the car if this were a local CX race, no doubt about it. Your dam straight I am whining, and I am not the only one. I can feel the energy of the other racers is low, we are all anxious about this race. I get dressed, warm up in the tent by the staging area waiting for the call. Curtis Tolson is spraying my drive train with de-icer, we hope this will help fight the frozen mud. My call up puts me next to Bob Downs and we are behind Henry Kramer and Benny Andersen’s, the two fastest qualifiers. The whistle sounds, I have a fine start, locked on Henry. Eziting the cinder road section it is water roost everywhere and all of our hands get soaked. First freaking 20 seconds and our hands are wet, nice. Not only does this create numb fingers, it is also like adding grease to your hands while trying to race! I almost make it to the pit section with Henry and have to slow down, no way am I able to keep the pace, being passed by a large group, maybe 12 people. Now riding with a group of 4, not exactly sure because of the concentration needed to keep the bike upright. I hear someone yell F-this, this f’ing sucks. I am wondering if he can hear my thoughts? I have to get away from this guy or his negative chi is going to aid my potential for cracking. I started the race and as much as this sucks, some sick part of me wants to finish!

The mental wrestling lasts for about 1.5 laps, realizing finishing is a reality, if my equipment holds up. Curtis has a bike for me on the half lap and I take it. Normally a new clean bike feels better, not today, I am going about 6 MPH and it sucks. This is not racing it is a tractor pull, correct a 45 minute tractor pull.

So that is how it goes, no sense in expanding on this. I did not care about the finish placing because I was surviving, not racing. The best thing about this experience is it was over. I heard Henry give an interview after winning and he said, when asked if he had fun. Yes, I had fun two times today, when I staged, and when I crossed the finish line in first, the rest not so much.

I have to thank Curtis Tolson (Texas Roadhouse) for working the pits while i was in Louisville. I could have not done this without your help, thank you. Rob Curtis for the Psimet wheel sets, they are solid wheels, I love them. A.L.L. Masonry, Louie, you are an awesome supporter of Enzo and I am grateful. Dave Eckel, you kept me laughing, it is only master’s racing, right? The Schneider family for their support, you know what I am talking about. To Village CycleSport, Joe, Vince, Doug and the rest of the Barrington crew for helping keep the Awesome Trek Cronus tuned.

Now the fun begins, Back at the car I finally get warm, crack open an Imperial Hatter IPA, and watch the rest of the races, cheering for anyone I know. Heidi has hitched a ride, for the weekend with the Schwitzers, and we are planning a day trip to the Red River Gorge tomorrow for a hiking day. Saturday we will watch the races at Eva Bandman while working the crowd and giving away Enzo’s swag. Happy to have the two week training session behind me, I do not recommend racing your bike on two weeks of training, ever!

Next the Elite race report with many photo’s. Exciting things are happening for the road season, an update will be posted in a few weeks. Safe training and riding.

-Enzo

The post Master’s World Championship Race Report appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

I am less than excited about the course layout, not that it is the designers fault, we have been given a flat golf course to race on. I understand saving Eva Bandman for the Elites which makes perfect sense. This idea may have not worked, looking back in time, because of the flood that followed the event, but at least a consideration. The idea if having the master’s races on the Eva Bandman course after the Elite weekend of racing, simplifying the entire process. One course set up instead of two, saving a massive amount of work, man/women power, and money. I realize the UCI is not capable of this out of the box thinking, adding common sense into the picking the event date process.

Example of the UCI planning committee meeting, lets have the first US held World Championship Elite races on the same day as the super bowl. What is a super bowl? Never mind, I move to enforce strict penalties for removal of lawyer tabs, second that. Wait, we are supposed to be picking a date for CX worlds, laughter. You are correct, more wine and who has the dice cup. Okay, enough of the arm chair quarterbacking. The fact is, the master’s course was as boring a course that I have ever ridden with the exception of two small sections, about 25 seconds worth per lap.

Off to the Galt house to register and pick my starting number for the heat race. I see Chris Black and we talk the entire time which made the line seem non existent. First Chris picks his number 15, front row for heat number one. I follow and pick number 47, great. Cut this in half because the even numbers are heat two and the odds are heat one. I will be third row for the heat. I find out later that heat one has almost all the fastest guys, so I am not excited about the amount of energy required to finish 7th or 8th. I will say this is the best system to determine a fair starting grid for the main event.

Monday I did my pre ride early, the forecast was rain late morning. I rode the last 30 minutes in heavy rain which started about 10:30 am with the course quickly turning very soft. Having a few hundred bikes ride over it is also helping create the start of a real Southern style mud hole. My goal is to finish 7th or 8th in the heat. Multiply this by 2 and that would be my starting position, giving me second row. This will put me close enough to the front of the race to have a chance to stay in contact with the leaders. My fitness being nil, has my confidence low so a top 10 which would be a great ride. It is not to often I have this weak mind going into a race. I rode the course with my B bike keeping the A bike clean and after clean up, I am ready for an early turn in, unfortunately my room mate had different plans, keeping both of us up way to late!

Tuesday morning we have the cars packed and leave early, Dave is racing first heat of the day, in the 50-54 group. Curtis Tolson is taking care of the pit for me which is awesome. If you do not have a second bike, you will be giving up valuable energy needed for the main event. The mud is perfect, a little slippery early but after 2 heats, it is going tack up in many places, in other words fast conditions for soft ground. The temps are about 50 F already with wind about 15-20 mph.

One half lap test ride, I am positive about my tire pressure. I am feeling fair and will not really know what I have until we are racing. I am called up 3rd row with only one really fast guy behind me, Henry Kramer, who is in the 4th row. Chris Black has offered to sell me his starting position in the 1st row, and I laugh it off, thanking him for the kind, pre race heckle. The whistle blows, I nail my clip, grab a few gears and am up to speed. A hole opens on the right and have to fight for the position against Norm Kress. My crit skills are working as I keep my bars in front of Norm’s, forcing him to yield. I am sixth going into the first turn. Later I would hear from Chris that I had passed him before the first corner. I am happy, having advanced without much effort, sitting on Bob Downs. Going by the pit area, there is a HUGE swamp, 25 meters of 5 inch deep standing water, eating the roost from Bob’s wheel. I am not giving any positions to anyone behind easily. Into the next 180 corner Henry and 1 other pass us and take off. I stay put thinking Bob will go harder in the second lap, so I will draft him into the long headwind section. After all he is the reigning National Champion.

We are a group of 4, having about 10 seconds on the next chase group, 7th seems like a done deal. I am actually 6th, Bob 5th so I tell him we are alone, about 3 seconds gap. Bob is riding quite slow, he is really holding back, I feel a dangerous game. I can see 4th and 3rd only 10 seconds up and decide to bridge before the long headwind section. As I remount, my saddle pops off my seat post!!! Keeping the bike upright I have to stop and negotiate this dangerous ass spear sticking out of my frame. I carefully clip in starting to ride, standing. I look back to see a 10 seconds gap to the next racer. I am now 8th place. I can hear people on the sidelines making comment about the guy who is riding while standing, until they see my pass by, saying things like holy shit, that sucks.

My B bike is ready thanks Curtis, making the swap, I barely stay in front of the lone chaser. Remounting I think, dude your gone, and attack hard after the barriers. I need to bridge the 15 seconds I lost to Bob and the other rider in order to save a second row spot. I connect with them at the top of the nasty mud run up and attack. Bob answers 10 meters before the technical downhill, there will be no passing here, a perfect move. I do not allow the other rider to pass as he forces me to sprint. I finish 7th, 1 second behind B. Downs and a second row spot.

It turns out we have the fastest heat time of the day, faster that both heats from the 50-54 boys. This was about 7:10 minute laps. I think I would have done lap two under 7:00 without the seat post shenanigans.
Soon, the report I do not want to write, reliving in detail, the most painful race ever.
Enzo

The post Louisville Master’s World Championship Qualifying Heat appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

Meredith Miller

With my race being over I go back to the car, load the bikes and change. I want to watch the Elites play on this course. The sun is high which is creating a thin layer of grease on the frozen terrain which means, handling skills will be needed in order to win today. These are the perfect conditions to learn small handling techniques by watching the top CX racers. Today is going to be special because Niels Albert is racing, actually I suspect he will be giving a clinic to our local USA boys. I mean no disrespect to the USA CX system, but there is a problem supporting the junior racer and this needs to be fixed.

Katerina Nash

First the women line up with a few talented racers on the front row. Luna has both their fast girls here, Georgia Gould and Katerina Nash, add Meredith Miller and a few others to round out this really fast front row. The whistle sounds and the sprint for the first spot is on, with Nash getting the hole shot. Not only does Nash get the hole shot but she throws down 4 consecutive hot laps, 7:58, 7:53, 7:52, and 8:00. So 30 minutes of a 45 minute race and Katerina has established well over a minute on the field, impressive. Georgia Gould has also whipped out strong lap times and is solidly in 2nd place. The Luna Chicks will take 1-2 today, making a difficult course look easy. Now for the other side of the coin, M.Miller. Meredith is riding well, looking fast but clearly hit the deck early. She has a large mud stain on her back and has to make up for being on the ground, currently in 5th place. After bridging to the 3rd place rider, I see her go to the front trying to break the will of this rider on the long uphill false flat. This does not look like it will work since the other riders cadence looks very smooth, translation, she is comfortable on the wheel. Sure enough a 1/2 lap later, Meredith is separated, back to fourth place. It is clear she went down again and must have decided to back off a little, I suspect not wanting to hurt herself with Worlds only 1 week away, a smart choice. I am impressed with these 3 racers standing out.

Start of Men’s race.

Staging for the men was not normal, first call up, the reining World CX Champion Neils Albert, who looked like he was asleep. Then his U23 teammate and then the heads of state from the USA. Page, Trebon, Powers, and our local favorite Drew Dillman. Those that do not know, Drew raced road for the Pro Chain Development Squad, who is coached by John Gatch. Drew is currently racing for Marion University, in Indianapolis and continues to kick ass. Last year Drew was the first finisher for Team USA at Worlds as a Junior, so everyone keep an eye on the young man.

The whistle sounds and guess who is in the front, J. Powers, but not for long. Albert blows by in the dirt and starts the clinic with 3 crazy fast hot laps, 7:04, 7:04, and 7:06. This pace has earned hem a 12 second lead over his team mate and Jonathan Page. I have to say this, It was like a cat playing with mice! The speed was not that much faster than the two chasers, but the handling skill was super human! Neils was riding off camber grease making it look dry, while the chasers where having to be cautious in those same places. Then the rest of the race looked like they were master racers, slip sliding all over the place. I am talking about Powers, Trebon, and the rest of our best racers. I kept thinking, the US racers do not stand a chance against the Belgium team at Worlds. Not because we are slow, we aren’t. Our boys just do not have the skill in the slippery conditions, this seems to be the noticeable difference. Belguim starts their kids riding CX bikes while still in diapers, so racing in the sand and mud is like breathing to them.

Drew Dillman

Anyway, I look forward to the day when we, US, closes the gap. USAC should consider funding the Junior racing program in order for this gap to be reduced. As a supporter of many young racers, I am extremely frustrated that our top young racers must pay their own way to euro-CX camp and any races over the pond, while wearing team USA kits. This has been a problem for over 30 years and it is just wrong for the financial burden to land on the Chicago Cross scene. The Chicago racers stepping up, paying for one of their great young racers, making it possible for him to race world cup events. The CCC is already leading the way for junior development in CX racing, why does USAC insist on their customers paying twice? The fact that these young racers have to ask for the money is absurd. If a racer is wearing your jersey, you should be paying for the representation! Okay, enough of the rant, their are many great people working for USAC at our local races, none of this rant is directed towards them. I am grateful for the hard work you all put in for our race scene making it the best in the country, thank you.

Back to the report, The race is in the Albert bag, making it look easy. Powers and Trebon are closing the gap to Page with 3 laps to go. Tim Johnson and Drew Dillman are battling for 10th place. 2 laps to go and Dillman has opened a gap on Johnson, he is riding a great race, while the old man TJ, looks like he may be saving his legs for next week, just a guess. One to go and Powers is only 5 seconds from Page and has dropped Trebon. Not much is changing other than these guys. Powers makes the catch with 1/4 lap to race when Page bobbles and looses 2-3 seconds, that is the race. Belguim goes 1-2, Powers 3rd, Page 4th and Trebon 5th while Dillman holds on for a solid 10th place finish. Enzo’s racer’s of the day goes to Albert, followed by Drew Dillman.

On a lighter note, while watching the Albert clinic on a technical corner away from he crowd. I find myself about 10 feet from Georgia Gould, who is standing alone. I say hello and ask if she has heard of ButtonHole Chamois Cream. She squares off with a big smile and with both of her index fingers, points to her crotch and laughingly says, wearing it! I was just bitched slapped by Georgia Gould! Stumbling with my retort, I say something stupid like where did you get the ButtonHole? Anyway, this was a funny interaction, at least I thought so. Thanks for the laugh Georgia.

Next up will be the Heat race and master’s final in Louisville. Until then safe training all you roadies, and happy off season to the CX only racers.

Enzo

The post Cincinnati Elite Race Report appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

To start, how many races did you do in 2012? Starting and ending roughly what dates.

MB: I started racing at the end of January in Mallorca, and I finished my season at the beginning of October. I think I had around 80 race days in 2012.

At the end of your season, how much down time do you take?

MB: I like to take a solid two weeks really easy. One week for sure of nothing but relaxing. Then depending on how busy I am, or how stir crazy I’m getting, I might consider some light exercise of some form in the second week. After that, the timing of when I finished racing to when the season starts will determine when/how I start training. Generally November 1st is a good starting time for beginning to form a routine riding schedule again; however, it is definitely not limited to the road. I like to ride the mtb or cx bike a lot at this time.

What do you do in this down time?

MB: Things that are different, other sports, eating habits, family time, more wine drinking? -I like to try and relax in my down time, catch up on things that have passed during the business of the season. It is never fun to try and catch up on important tasks, but this is the ideal time. Also, I just enjoy catching up with family and friends. I love to go hiking, backpacking, hunting, cook, and read an occasional book.

Do you think the rest/down time is more for your body or your mind, or both.

MB:Both for sure. It is a long season mentally and physically.

Would you give us an example of how you set your personal racing goals from year to year. Do these goals alter your training routine?

MB: I like to set goals that are reasonable. I’m not going to say that my goal for 2013 is to win the TdF, it simply isn’t realistic. I’m not selling myself short, I’m simply using the knowledge I’ve gained in my first three years to set goals that I can hopefully attain. I will look back on the previous season to what I did to find appropriate goals. What I’ve already accomplished is a good benchmark for where I can go.

How long of a base building period do you normally allow. Do you have a zone that you try to ride in and how do you determine this? Watt meter, Heart rate, perceived effort, all of these?

MB: These are things I am still trying to figure out. My build up to each season since turning pro has been less than ideal probably. I’ve spent vital time in December in the cold weather of the Midwest where it is hard to build my base miles. I train with power and heart rate, but at the end of the day, the body is the ultimate voice. Your body is very good at telling you exactly how you’re feeling!

When do you start working intensity? Is this a specific training plan or do you race yourself into top form?

MB: It depends. The season is long and races are often and hard, so finding time to do specific intervals for a specific goal can be difficult. You have to be flexible in your planning. You can make a general plan, but it has to be dynamic to how your needs change.

Tactically speaking, when you won the US Pro Road race, did you let the break unfold, or did you calculate a plan once you knew the break had stuck? Where you nervous or were you in the default/racing mode?

MB: I definitely made a plan to be in the final break. I had done the race several times on that course, so I knew the tactics: be there the last time on Paris Mountain. From there, it was pure instinct. I contemplated attacking several times, but those moments passed. In the end, it was simply all I had!

The next years US PRO race, was your first time defending such a title. How were the tactic’s different this year from the previous year?

MB: There is added pressure being the defending champion, and there is a target on your back, but the tactics were generally the same. It worked out properly for me, but a mental mistake in those final moments cost me the chance at the repeat.

Clearly your are now a targeted man, why did the break allow, not chase, Tim’s timely attack? Did they not want to take you to the line, because you have a decent sprint?

MB: We chased. He was simply stronger than the rest of us. Or all of us were equally dead, so once he had his gap, he only had to maintain his effort. He rode a great race.

If there is one piece of advice you can give to the up and coming young racer that wants to achieve a pro contract, what would that be?

MB: Have fun. Don’t focus on it. If it is going to happen, it will.

For those that do not know who Matthew Busche is, Google him and start following his blog at this link. http://matthewbusche.blogspot.com/

Enzo

The post Matthew Busche shares Pro Training, Race Tatics, and Attitude with Enzo appeared first on Enzo's Cycling Products.

How about I start with the cliff note training system I used to become razor sharp, during the two week training window! My last race was the Friday night golf farm CX event and since then, have been riding twice a week with one or two 3 mile runs mixed in. That is correct, I started running, hoping to join my daughter on her rest days. This meant I would have to run at 7:45 pace, easy for runners, not for me. Then Sunday I would ride with Bob 3-4+ hours on our CX bikes, base mileage only for these long rides. Long is easy, fast not so much.

The first training ride it is 1 hour to reach my 4 minute interval section of the millennium trail. The wind is awesome, 15-20 mph, mid 30′s F. I am able to do 2 – 4 minute efforts using a huge amount of mind power, since my body is not happy with zone SICK’s! 2.5 hour ride with about 15 minutes of work, I totally suck.

Next day it is 30 F with similar wind as yesterday. I ask Heidi if she will spoon feed me, she agrees. She meets me at my secret motor pace loop and starts the speed torture. This was one of the craziest things I have done on my bike, but if I wanted any chance to be somewhat competitive, it will be the motor that might whip me into some level of sharp.

The following weekend I was going with my daughter and Heidi to visit University of Missouri, Aka Mizzou.

They have been watching Rachel and like what they see as a distance runner, so it is an official visit, which means the hotel and most of the food is on them, nice. I am sure that the cost of going will easily cove a few hundred bucks in hotel bills.

While I am in Columbia, I have the pleasure of doing a gravel road ride with a local club that is connected to a shop that sells Enzo’s. CycleXtreme is the name of the shop, and Mike Morgan was the man giving me all the details about the many rides they had to go on. Turns out we rode for 3.5 hours, 4000 ft of climbing. Speed work would have been better race training, but this was a ton of fun. I am happy I went on this group ride.

Bad weather forces me to train indoors during the week and i am less that excited about my progress, I feel like crap, which is not building confidence.

Thursday evening, time to rest but I have to pack the TDI to the gills with Enzo’s schwag for Louisville. I leave Friday AM for Cincinniti and racing Saturday 11:30. Friday 4:45 am I wake up to a snow storm so driving is slow until 65 south in Indiana. There are many sections where cars are flying off the road. I get a little adrenalin surge every time I see someone sliding in circles at 70 mph, laughter. This can not be good for recovery. I make it to the King’s Cross course and find my host, John Gatch, who is setting up the tent system for OVCX.

John Gatch runs the Gun Club Cross race for the Ohio CX Series, a classic event where they start every race with a shot gun Blast! There are other cool touches I could talk about but this is a race everyone should go to once to see for themselves, it is worth the trip. I pre-ride the course doing 5 laps with only 1/2 of a medium hot lap. The snow and frozen ground are putting my rusty CX skills to the test, if you do not use it, you loose it! I still have little confidence going into my first race of the season. John and I head back to the house hanging out with his wife Jeri, and meeting the kids. John has a great family, I had a fun time getting to know them better. Thanks for the awesome dinners John.

Saturday AM we head off to the race course early. John has to set up the PA system and take care of a few other responsibilities. The course is exactly the same as it was during the pre-ride so I know what tire pressure I will be going with, 21 front, 21.5 rear, Clement PDX’s. The Limus would be the best tire today but I want to save those for Louisville. The race is a 40+ 50+ combo and the call ups will be according to the current USAC rankings. Check this out, I raced the Sun Prairie USGP and won, and my USAC ranking was # 1 for the 55-59 age group, now I am ranked 106th, how does that happen? Nestor was way smarter than I ever new, he tried to clean up the USAC good old boys club years ago, but that is another story. The real fun is starting in the forth row. I will have to wait a while before hitting the gas, the last thing I want to do is crash since this speedwork/ training for Louisville.

I am curious to see what I have in the tank. I am sure it is not great and hope I am wrong. The whistle goes off and I see John Gatch, Mike McShane, John Card and a few others riding away in the front. I am sitting in a line of guys going crazy slow, well my HR is mid zone 3, so I hope this is not are not their race pace. I try to remember I am ranked 106th and this is where I belong, according to USAC.

The race opens a little and I am feeling great, which may have something to do with the grandma’s pace. I slowly increasing the speed and start passing people. Now I have bridged up to Bob Downs and decide to sit on his wheel. Bob is the newly crowned 55-50 National CX champion, so I am curious to see what he is going to do. We are entering the camels hump, a nice 30 second 6% up hill followed by two technical off camber sections, then a fast down hill. Guys are off their bikes sliding sideways, a hole opens up and I ride like I have been racing all season, grab two gears, increase the cadence and pass about 10 guys. I peek back to see I have gained about 5 second advantage. OK gas on full and lets see how this goes. I spend the next 5 laps picking off a guy hear and there, being caught by none. With two laps to go I see Bob and 3 others chasing hard. They are slowly closing the 30 second gap I established. Being solo in the wind while going race pace is wearing on me. With only one lap to go, I am slowing down, crap. They bridge with 1/2 a lap to race, I get on the back of the group gaining a draft, freakin feels good back here. They attack on the long climb and I am spit off at the top. They put 30 seconds on me in 1/4 lap.

All in all I am happy, I felt OK, going fairly fast for 30 minutes. The Kings CX course is awesome, similar to the New years resolution course, with more elevation change, which makes it a little better.

There will be more post soon, The Elite racing in Cincy, Georgia Gould making me laugh, Louisville qualifying heat races, Master’s world championship final, Red River Gorge hiking, and the Elite Worlds racing/party.

Thank you to John Gatch and family for allowing me to stay with them. To OVCX for the awesome treatment, race, parking and other considerations. Also a big thanks to the Schneider family for the support, Psimet Custom CX wheels, Trek Bikes, SRAM, and Barrington Village CycleSport.

Happy and safe training,
Enzo

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